Gladys A. Hoffman

Gladys “Gladie” Hoffman, age 100, was birthed peacefully into heaven on August 11, 2016, at Eventide on Eighth in Moorhead, Minnesota. Her family was lovingly present and she was blessed to receive the tender care of those who cared for her on the Staff at Eventide.

Gladys was born June 6, 1916, in Lake Park Minnesota. At age four she moved to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota to a new home built and designed by her parents whom she adored. When she started school she only spoke Norwegian. Growing up her 15 year older sister Gene Olmstead became her mentor. She and her younger brother Orville were inseparable friends and business partners running a newspaper delivery system for all the lake regions. Her life is entwined with her roots in Detroit Lakes where she grew up, married and birthed her four children.

She moved to Moorhead in 1951 with her husband Matt, her children and her Mother. One of the very first things she did was to register as a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she actively served and worshiped until age 93.

Gladys worked as the manager of the S&H Green Stamp Store in Fargo for over 30 years. She loved her job and received numerous awards for being an exemplary manager and setting records for excellence.

Gladys embraced her family and loved them unconditionally and wholly. Her home was a place that family and extended family gathered for holidays and celebrations for many years.

Gladys was a member of the Royal Neighbors, Eagles, VFW, Trinity Fellowship, American Legion, and P.E.O.

She loved the lakes, working, family, bingo, birthday club, dancing, friends, coffee, sweets, making lefsa, doughnuts, pies, and gardening. She enjoyed her coffee and desserts.

She traveled to Seattle, Anchorage, Phoenix, New Jersey, California, Maryland, New York and Florida to be with family.
Gatherings with and loving her family and friends were part of her heart and the fabric of her life.


Her Gladie- isms live on in the lives of all she touched:

"Goofy, Goofy, Goofy,"

"La dee Dah,"

"Hope and Pray",

"It"s unbelievable!" and "uff dahs."

Her hair was her crowning glory and now she has her crown in heaven.

She lived in her home until age 89, The Park East Apartments for five years, until residing at Eventide Linden Tree for seven years.

Gladys is survived by daughter, Marlys and her husband Joe Heintz of Surprise, AZ. her Grandchildren: Bill (Kris) Read of Rochester NY, Beth Sveum of Fargo, Michelle Enciso of Phoenix, AZ., and Steve Heintz (Shannon) of Scottsdale, AZ. Her Great Grand-children: Sarah, Asher and Zephan Enciso of Phoenix, AZ., Sarah, Arielle and Kiera Read of Rochester, NY and new great grand- baby Ever Heintz of Scottsdale, AZ; Son-in-law, Kenny Sveum, Jr.; Her sister-in-law Ione Swanstrom and her family. Her nephew, Don Olmstead and his family, as well as extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Matt Hoffman; children Donna Read, Julie Sveum and Ronald Hoffman; sister, Gene Olmstead and brother, Orville Swanstrom.